Stock Contractors
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STOCK CONTRACTORS Bar T Rodeo’s Fancy Pants, looking 100 percent focused just before bucking off his Round 9 cowboy, was named top saddle bronc of the 2011 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, capping a Kerby-Flitton family celebration that started at the PRCA Awards Banquet Nov. 30 when Bar T won the 2011 Remuda Award for providing the best pen of bucking horses at PRCA rodeos. PRCA ProRodeo photo by Greg Westfall Stock Contractors Working behind the scenes from long before the rodeo begins until the last animal is loaded up, stock contractors may be the most overlooked people in rodeo production. While cowboys get most of the recognition, the livestock at PRCA rodeos plays a vital role in the success of the contestants. In roughstock events, the cowboy’s riding ability produces half the score and the animals’ ability to buck powerfully and skillfully earns the other half. For the timed events, stock contractors work to provide cattle of similar size for each event, so that cowboys are tested on their own skills – on a level playing field. The stock contractors’ primary goal is to ensure that the four-legged athletes of professional rodeo are healthy, well-fed, properly cared for and fit to perform. This job includes tasks familiar to all ranchers: breeding livestock with the desired characteristics, loading and transporting animals safely, providing veterinary care and supervising handling. Rodeo stock contractors also have sport-specific jobs, including working behind the chutes to ensure safety for both people and animals, caring for animals during the rodeo itself – even handling public relations for the sport’s animal superstars. Stock contractors are heavily invested in the health and welfare of their livestock. The value of top bulls can reach $60,000 or more; a first-rate bucking horse can sell for more than $80,000. But the animals are more than a monetary investment – while they are not cuddly pets, they do become respected and valued members of the stock contractors’ families. The PRCA sets rules that ensure the humane treatment of rodeo animals. (See “PrCA and Livestock Welfare” in the first chapter of this Media Guide.) Stock contracting companies that want to supply livestock for PRCA- sanctioned rodeos agree to follow these rules. Collectively, they set and represent the highest industry standard for livestock care. PRCA card-holding member stock contractors as of Feb. 2, 2012, include: All American Rodeo Company meeting the challenges of rodeo’s future while preserving Stock contractor: Sam Swearingen its rich Western heritage. Blending award-winning bucking LOCATION: Piffard, N.Y.BACKGROUND: In early 2005, an stock with the hottest music, Bad Company produces a exciting new chapter began for All American Rodeo. With rocking rodeo concert experience to appeal to a new the retirement of Ron and Kathy Martin, Sam Swearingen generation of rodeo fans. Since Bad Company’s inception purchased All American Rodeo’s assets and became the in 1982, Altizer has striven to grow every aspect of the company’s sole owner. Swearingen had successfully com- business (total payout, added money, spectator atten- peted in ProRodeo as a saddle bronc rider for nearly 30 dance, contestant entries) every year, keying on unique years. Since then, he has continued his commitment to advertising, promotion and community involvement. rodeo as the owner of the fastest-growing rodeo company in the northeastern U.S. and Canada. Each year, Swearingen Bar T Rodeo Inc. and his staff produce more than 100 award-winning per- Stock contractor: Jeff Flitton formances in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, LOCATION: Chester, Utah. BUCKING STOCK OF THE YEAR: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Virginia, West Virginia, Alley Cat, tie, 1977, also top-three bareback horse at NFR Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia. 1976, 1982, and top bareback horse of the Wilderness Circuit, 1976-77, 1981-83. NOTABLE STOCK: Sparrow, Andrews Rodeo Inc. top-three PRCA saddle bronc, 1991-93, top saddle bronc Stock contractors: Sammy and James Andrews at 1990 NFR and among top three 1991-3; Highland Special, who went to the NFR 20 times; Deception, High & Mighty LOCATION: Bagwell, Texas. BUCKING STOCK OF THE and Reception, also Wrangler NFR bucking horses; Son of YEAR: Bareback horse Skoal’s Outlaw Willie, 1991; bull Sadie and Eight Ball were named among the top five saddle Bodacious, 1994-95 (inducted into ProRodeo Hall of Fame, broncs of the 2009 Finals. BACKGROUND: Bar T Rodeo 1999). OTHER NOTABLE STOCK: Bull Fender Bender voted has been a family-run operation for more than 60 years. third for PRCA Bull of the Year 2007, runner-up, 2006; bull Stock is kept on 2,500 acres, leased and owned, in central Cat Daddy voted second for PRCA Bull of the Year, 2005. Utah. In 1997, Swanny Kerby, who started the business, BACKGROUND: Sammy Andrews, 2002 PRCA Stock was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. His son, Contractor of the Year, is a third-generation stock contrac- saddle bronc rider and pickup man Bud Kerby, and Bud’s tor. With knowledge gained from a lifetime of rodeo expe- wife Evelyn built up Bar T Rodeo’s breeding program and rience, Sammy and his son, James, operate the business helped produce the first-ever Olympic exhibition rodeo and have enjoyed success with their breeding program in Farmington, Utah, in 2002. Bud Kerby passed away in for bucking bulls and horses. Four of their bareback horses, October 2010; in 2012, Evelyn sold the business to their one saddle bronc and four bucking bulls were selected daughter and son-in-law Wendie and Jeff Flitton, their son for the 2011 Wrangler NFR; Outlaw was named one of the Cody and daughter Kellie Addington and her husband top five bulls of the 2011 Finals. Sam, who operate it with another Kerby daughter, Lori Pierce, and her husband, Martin. Evelyn Kerby continues Bad Company Rodeo to advise the family. Two Bar T bareback horses, four saddle Stock contractor: Mack Altizer broncs and two bucking bulls were selected for the 2011 LOCATION: Del Rio, Texas. NOTABLE STOCK: Wrangler NFR; saddle bronc Fancy Pants was named top Championship bulls include seven-time Wrangler NFR bull saddle bronc of the 2011 Finals and Bar T Rodeo livestock Wild Thing, Texas Circuit Bucking Bull of the Year, 1996, won four gold buckles there. Also in 2011, Bar T Rodeo 1999; Hammer Time, selected to Wrangler NFR seven times; won its second Remuda Award for providing the best, perennial Wrangler NFR bull Walk This Way. BACKGROUND: most consistent pens of bucking horses to PRCA rodeos, Mack Altizer, 1998 PRCA Stock Contractor of the Year, is and Bar T livestock swept the Wilderness Circuit awards 552 STOCK CONTRACTORS as Bitter Robbin, 8 Ball and Top Gun were named best Unforgiven, 2002; Tahonta, 2003-04. OTHER NOTABLE bareback horse, best saddle bronc and best bucking bull, STOCK: Kool Toddy, tied for No. 3 saddle bronc in the respectively. PRCA, 2010; Dog Face, top bull of the Columbia River Circuit and selected for Wrangler NFR, 1992, runner-up Barnes PRCA Rodeo for bull of the year, 1996. BACKGROUND: Don Hutsell and Stock contractor: Bob Barnes Sonny Riley, who also co-own Flying 5 Rodeo Company, formed Big Bend Rodeo in April 1992 when they bought LOCATION: Peterson, Iowa. BUCKING STOCK OF THE the Kelsey and McLean Rodeo Company from the late YEAR: Saddle bronc Crystal Springs, 1977. OTHER Ralph McLean. In 1997, Big Bend completed a rare double NOTABLE STOCK: Bucking bull T Bar, Reliant Stadium play when both bareback horse Spring Fling and bucking arena-record 94 points with Terry Don West. Bareback bull Rapid Fire captured stock-of-the-year honors. After horse Smokeless Bow Tie carried Wes Stevenson to a the 1999 Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo, Hutsell 93-point ride at the 2002 Summer Tour Finale in Dallas, decided to put a saddle on Spring Fling, and it paid off as tying the second-highest score in PRCA history. she was voted top saddle bronc for two years, then BACKGROUND: Bob Barnes has been in the business STOCK CONTRACTORS returned to the bareback string and was voted one of the for nearly 60 years; he has had stock at each NFR since top three bareback horses for 2005. Big Bend bulls its inception in 1959 and at every Dodge/Ram Great Unforgiven and Tahonta held the top title for three years Lakes Circuit Finals Rodeo. One of the most respected straight between them; Tahonta retired in 2006. Big Bend stockmen in professional rodeo, he was 1984 PRCA Stock Rodeo sent one saddle bronc to the Wrangler NFR in 2011. Contractor of the Year and was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1994. Barnes is among the most prominent stock contractors in the Midwest, where Big Stone, Moreno and he continues to educate people about the sport and its Growney Rodeo Company Western heritage. Bob has served on the Wrangler NFR Manager: Bruce Sunstrum Commission, PRCA Executive Board and PRCA Board of LOCATION: Cessford, Alberta. NOTABLE STOCK: At the Directors; his son John currently serves on the PRCA 2002 Wrangler NFR, Big Stone Rodeo Company bareback Board of Directors. His wife, Donita, was posthumously horse Chester Dippin Bandit and Will Lowe combined for awarded the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award for a 91-point ride. The horse, owned and raised by Art Klassen, contract personnel at the PRCA’s Awards Banquet just was selected as top bareback horse of the 2002 Wrangler before the 2011 NFR. One Barnes saddle bronc was NFR and has been named top horse of the Canadian Finals selected for the 2011 Wrangler NFR, and John Barnes Rodeo four times.